Proposition 40 Redistricting State Senate Districts

In an unusual and confusing move, backers of Proposition 40 have recently withdrawn their support.

Just recently, backers of the referendum wrote in the official state ballot pamphlet that they are no longer soliciting voter support.

Proposed by Republicans, Proposition 40 was submitted to overturn the State Senate districts drawn last year by the Independent California Citizens Redistricting Commission.

According to the Orange County Register, advocates against the measure “had hoped the new districts wouldn’t be used in elections this year because of the pending measure. But in January the California Supreme Court ordered state election officials to use them.”

Opponents of the initiative had hoped the qualification for the ballot would have halted current senate district lines, but the Supreme Court kept them in place. Because of this, the measure is no longer needed so they are no longer asking for a no vote.

As voters may deem this measure a lost cause, they should still give heed to it because it is a referendum. It seeks to overturn a government action.

Under state law, a yes vote on a referendum means you support the government action.

A no vote means you want the action overturned.

A YES vote is necessary to protect the Independent Citizens Redistricting Commission. This will ensure that the State Senate maps will remain in place.

CSUSB student Alondra Alcaraz is in favor of the measure.

“I think I will vote yes on 40. It makes me feel like I have a say in what goes on instead of feeling like its politicians who make all the decisions for California.”
For those who are not in favor and vote NO, this would overturn the fair districts drawn by the ICRC.